The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-02-15
The Correct Account.


EDITOR GAZETTE "A somewhat sensational
report of a melancholy accident at the Kila-
uea Sugar Co.'s Mill having been published,
and as good deal of interest appears to be
taken by the Honolulu public in the matter,
l beg 10 submit to you the actual facts;
At 4:40 p. m. on Saturday, the 18th ult.,
centrifugal machine, drying No. sugar, burst
and killed two men, natives of Finland,
named II. Hermanson and Joseph Ericks.
Both men were terribly mutilated, but it
is not true that one of the men was cut in
two and had his arms cut off.
left Kilauea in the morning on the same
day that the accident occurred and have not
been home since, but have full information
bv letters received and from Mr.. Cation,
Messrs. Mirrlees, Watson's representative,
who has just returned from the scene of the
catastrophy.
The machine was running perfectly and
smoothly at the time, and at the regulation
speed for which they are constructed. The
engineer, who was only few yards distant
in the sugar room at the time of the accident
reports that it went off with a sound like an
explosion.
We had four machines, two of which were
used exclusively for drying No. sugar, of
which grade we made about 16 tons per day.
We boil our juice to as thick "masse CUTIE
as possible and have been getting about 80
per cent. of No. sugar. II has been custo-
mary to put full charges in the machines and
start them after charging. saw the machines
running as usually on the morning of the
accident shortly before leaving the planta-
ton and stood for several moments Watching
the engine which was running quite steadily,
a new governor having been put on it this
crop.
The machines were all taken down and
examined about three months ago and we're in
perfect order when grinding commenced on
the 25th December last.
Mr.. Cation IS of opinion that the accident
was due to no defect or eirelessness, but
solely to the heavy charge being too great a
strain for the strength of the cage of the
machine. No other explanation appears to
be forthcoming and it must be inferred
that with very heavy "masse cuite'' it is un-
safe to work with full charges.
This Is, l believe, only the second fatal
accident of this kind that has occurred in
this country, but there have been numerous
others in Europe and America, especially in
sugar rehneries, where much more work is
usually exacted from machines than ON plan
tations.
In consequence of the frequency of acct
dents, Messrs. Mirrlees, Watson d. Co. have,
understand, been recently putting much
stronger Monitor Castings on their machines
than those placed round their machines in
this country.
Hermanson, one of the two men who was
killed had been with me for six years, and
for four years had been working foreman
over all the centrifugal machines. He was a
most valuable servant and never knew a
more faithful, careful, intelligent and COM
petent workman.
The poor fellow returned only three months
ago from a trip to his native land whence he
brought wife back. He leaves one infant
The man Ericks was also Finn, one of
seven who came from Finland with Herman
son last year and was steady, active man.
am happy to say that beyond damage to
the adjoining centrifugal machine mixer and
framing no other damage to our machinery
resulted from the accident | have been
fortunate enough to be able to obtain new
machines from Messrs. g. w. Macfarlane d
Co. l am, yours faithfully,
X. 4. MAcFIE, JR.,
Mnnnnnr Z q